TXHSFB Kick-off: Notes and Intel from North Crowley vs Euless Trinity
Texas high school football is getting underway, and last night featured a prime matchup between defending state champion North Crowley and Trinity Euless in the first official scrimmage of the fall. With multiple five-star prospects and a lot of young talent on display, there were plenty of eyes on a wide range of players. Here’s the latest intel and notes on some of the top talent in the state of Texas.
When it comes to premier talent in Texas’ incoming junior class, the first name that comes to mind is 2027 Euless (TX) Trinity five-star cornerback John Meredith III — and for good reason.
A consensus top-10 prospect nationally, Meredith has the size, instincts, and skill set to develop into an elite defensive back, not just at the college level, but potentially in the NFL one day.
The premier defensive back prospect already holds offers from nearly every major program in the country, but sources indicate Texas A&M has captured some early momentum in his recruitment.
Coaches on hand last night raved that he’s the kind of player who could step in and contribute to any program right away. Texas is also pushing hard, and this one has the early makings of another high-profile Lone Star State battle.
2026 Euless (TX) Trinity three-star offensive lineman and SMU commit Pupungatoa Katoa was a prospect who unexpectedly caught my eye while I was there last night.
Texas A&M offered early and kept in touch, intrigued by his potential on the interior, but SMU ultimately stood out the most in his recruitment. He projects as a more than serviceable piece for the Mustangs up front in the future.
We all saw what North Crowley accomplished last season, with a 16-0 run with wins over DeSoto, Duncanville, Westlake, Allen, and several other state powerhouses on the way to a title, but the talent stands out even more when you see it up close.
2026 North Crowley (TX) four-star offensive lineman and Texas pledge John Turntine continues to show why he’s my favorite offensive lineman in the state. Whether he ends up playing tackle full-time in Austin or slides inside, he projects as a highly productive piece up front.
I caught up with him post-game, and while he admitted the Aggies were high on his list before committing, his trust in Texas OL coach Kyle Flood ultimately sealed the deal. He doesn’t plan to take any additional visits at the moment, though it didn’t seem like that door is completely closed just yet.
They also have a pair of impressive safeties in 2026 North Crowley (TX) three-star and Texas Tech commit Aaron Bradshaw and 2027 North Crowley (TX) three-star Texas A&M offer Elijajuan Houston, who go together really well.
Bradshaw stood out thanks to a rare blend of athleticism and mobility that pairs seamlessly with his impressive size — and if he’s not on the field, odds are he’s standing on a bench somewhere. Several coaches raved about him to me this week, and it’s easy to see what Joey McGuire and his staff recognized in him.
North Crowley also features a pair of Texas A&M offers at receiver in 2028 prospects Hayden Green and Damarion Mays.
Both made strong impressions, but Mays has already been mentioned as an early candidate to be the top receiver in his class. While Texas A&M has his attention, I get the sense Texas is in a strong position early with him eyeing another visit sometime this season. Oregon and LSU are the two programs he’s still waiting on an offer from, and both would be major factors in his recruitment.
Green, meanwhile, is an intriguing target with elite size for the position, moving between wide receiver and tight end depending on the package. His recruitment is starting to pick up, and he has the tools to be another standout offensive weapon down the line. A visit to College Station is something he’d like to make happen this season.
